Home
Sophie Cunningham didn’t hesitate when she got the call—she was heading to Indiana. The sharpshooting guard had just been traded to the Indiana Fever, and her reaction was pure excitement.
“Heck yeah, we're about to go win a championship,” she recalled.
Her new teammate? None other than Caitlin Clark—the No. 1 pick who catapulted the WNBA into a new era in her rookie season.
Clark’s Influence: Bigger Than Basketball
Now Cunningham is publicly defending her young teammate against growing criticism.
“If you're trying to be jealous or knock her down, then you're not in it for the right reason,” she said. “The impact that she's had – not only on women's basketball, but on female athletes as a whole – it's like a Michael Jordan effect.”
Clark's Spotlight Comes with Scrutiny
Despite her popularity and record-breaking performance, Clark’s season was marked by controversy. From being tackled mid-game to debates about her fame, pay, and identity, Clark endured scrutiny no rookie should face.
“Maybe there is some beef there,” Cunningham noted. “But I think now they're really realizing everything she's bringing to the table... you're not going to see a lot more Caitlin Clarks.”
“Let Her Be Taylor Swift”: Building a Championship Culture
Cunningham sees her job clearly: support, uplift, and push Clark and the team to new heights. She made a light-hearted but pointed comparison.
“Taylor Swift, Caitlin Clark, they're going to do their thing,” she said. “But I just said I'm going to be the Sabrina Carpenter in the corner, being her biggest supporter... In order to win, it really does take everybody.”
Leadership, Laughs, and Life Outside the Game
At 28, Cunningham brings years of experience from her time with WNBA greats. “I've learned how to become a pro,” she said. “Caitlin is going to (get) there. But... sometimes you need someone to kind of lean on.”
Away from the court, Cunningham is a fashion icon and social media personality. “I like to go out there, I like to be competitive. I like to be a little bit grimy, a little feisty. But off the court, I like to be girly,” she shared.
Fixing the Foundation of Women’s Hoops
Even as the WNBA gains momentum, challenges remain.
“Some of our teams are still (practicing) at YMCAs, sharing the court with normal people,” Cunningham revealed. “There's no elite-level athletes doing that in any other leagues.”
Still, Cunningham is optimistic—especially with players like UConn’s Paige Bueckers entering the 2025 draft. “She just has it all,” Cunningham said. “Paige is such a phenomenal player and a phenomenal person. I would love to play with her one day.”
Caitlin’s Golf Game & Offseason Vibes
Cunningham and Clark are both avid golfers. “She'd probably kick my a,” Cunningham laughed. But she has bigger plans for team bonding—maybe at a lake, on a boat, or around a card table.
“She can't just go anywhere... so I think just making sure that we're all still having fun,” she said. “She's a heck of a person... she's hilarious.”
WNBA 2025 season is ahead and Fans are in for a treat.
ADVERTISEMENT
